Valedictorian Schools The System!

Posted By: Camron Wiltshire Aug 11, 2010

I believe that it is better to tell the truth than a lie. I believe it is better to be free than to be a slave. And I believe it is better to know than to be ignorant. — H. L. Mencken

Camron Wiltshire

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  • Your Mom

    What's the source for that Mencken quote? People routinely put words in his mouth, so unless I see a specific and verifiable source (book title, article w/publication date, etc), I doubt all statements attributed to him.

    That being said, Mencken had a low opinion of the schools:

    “pedagogy in the United States is fast descending to the estate of a childish necromancy, and that the worst idiots, even among pedagogues, are the teachers of English. It is positively dreadful to think that the young of the American species are exposed day in and day out to the contamination of such dark minds. What can be expected of education that is carried on in the very sewers of the intellect? How can morons teach anything that is worth knowing?”

    The Lower Depths (1925)

    • http://disinfo.com Majestic

      You are outdoing yourself this morning, Mom. There are many sources for this quote attributing it to Mencken. Here's just one:

      http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/h/hlme…

      As ever, we appreciate the massive amount of time you spend on our site but if you could please try to focus on the issue presented in the story rather than posting irrelevant comments it would help you avoid the criticism other site visitors level at you.

      • Tuna Ghost

        …did that site actually say which publication that quote is taken from, though? I couldn't find it there.

      • Connie Dobbs

        Please don't expect your mom to do his own research. All information must be spoon fed and accompanied by an appropriate clip of Glenn Beck crying.

        • emperorreagan

          I won't believe that H.L. Mencken is responsible for that quote unless someone invents a time machine and takes Glen Beck and I back in time so we can observe him either writing or saying it.

          • Connie Dobbs

            Tell it to your mother. No one else cares about you, or what you believe.

          • justagirl

            i care…

    • Tuna Ghost

      I think it's from “A Mencken Chrestomathy”, which is a collection of witticisms selected by Mencken from his stuff on “The Smart Set”.

  • justagirl

    GAWD! i want my 3 minutes back!!

  • http://voxmagi-necessarywords.blogspot.com/ VoxMagi

    Conformity and blind obedience don't make great minds…but they do make for good standardized test scores.

    That kids gonna be alright.

  • Gemmarama

    wow. i think i'm in love…

  • swabby429

    I feel good about the future of the country after listening to her speech.

  • Stonygiant

    she will get a job working as a spook for CIA i am sure tha gov has their eyes on her

  • Smitty

    Seems pretty smart, she most have gotten a pretty good education.

  • Ramatheli

    Thank goodness, I was just about to give up the hope that students would ever escape the idiotic education system they are forced into.

  • Melissaj714

    In the end, if you choose a job that makes you money instead of one that you have passion for, it is your own fault. She is the perfect example of this. How long did she realize she was throwing her life away by memorizing facts? Did she just realize it on the eve of graduation, or did she know it as she was studying for the last set of finals that solidified her valedictorian status? She wanted that status, and she consciously completed the evil institutionalized memorization tactics that she now criticizes for the sole purpose of gaining that status. HYPOCRITE. You can blame the system for many things, but in the end, your own greed or pride is the final piece that makes the puzzle complete.

    • Gemmarama

      that's a bit unfair. i don't think many 17-yr-olds get to choose whether they go to school or not. obviously this kid had an inspiring teacher (who will probably now get the sack) who opened her eyes. at least she used her status for some good in the end, and will now hopefully continue along a righteous path for the rest of her life. i cannot honestly say that i was that sorted at that age, and i doubt you can either.

    • Connie Dobbs

      Yes, because we all know that greed and pride are instinctual, and not learned behavior.

      It's called a point. Understand it.

  • Connie Dobbs

    Yes, because we all know that greed and pride are instinctual, and not learned behavior.

    It’s called a point. Understand it.